Fatal San Francisco Area Bicycle Accident

By John Bisnar

Timothy Bucher, 56, was killed in San Francisco area car accident after his bicycle was struck by another vehicle. According to a news report in The Pleasanton Weekly, the fatal bicycle accident occurred at the intersection of Fairmont Drive and Foothill Boulevard the morning of June 15, 2011. Police say that a 32-year-old woman was driving a 1995 Honda Civic east on Fairmont Drive at 35 mph when she took her eyes off the road and allowed the car to veer to the right.

The Honda struck Bucher who was riding his bicycle eastbound. Bucher hit his head on the windshield of the car and landed on the roadway. He sustained critical injuries despite wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The driver of the Honda was not arrested pending an official investigation.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Timothy Bucher for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person died and 672 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents in Alameda County. Also, countywide, car accidents claimed 82 lives and injured 6,935 people during the same year.

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

Based on this news report, it is not clear why the driver of the Honda took her eyes off the roadway. Police say alcohol or drugs did not play a part in this crash. But, there are still several unanswered questions here. Was the woman distracted by an electronic device in the car? Was she talking on a cell phone or sending/reading a text at the time of the crash? Was she distracted by something else in the vehicle?

According to California Vehicle Code Section 23123 (a): “A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving.”

Regardless of the type of distraction, any time a driver takes his or her eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or shifts his or her attention away from driving, the consequences can be catastrophic. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 6,000 people were killed and 500,000 were injured in 2008 as a result of car accidents caused by distracted driving. These statistics tell us how big the problem of distracted driving has become in our communities.

Liability Issues

If the driver in this case in this determined to have been at fault, she could be held liable for Bucher’s wrongful death. She can be held civilly liable in addition to any criminal charges she may face. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost future income and benefits, loss of companionship and other related damages. Victims’ families would also be well-advised to contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.

Lost a family member in a San Francisco car accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Alameda County bicycle accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys San Francisco car accident lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.

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